Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Jeremiah Brisbin

39^th IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: 11/24/1862 Des Moines & Davenport, IA
Mustered In: 11/24/1862 Davenport, IA
Mustered Out:  6/5/1865 Washington, D.C. 

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:

The 39^th Iowa was a three year infantry regiment. During the American Civil War (ACW) it served in the western theater of operations.

Most of the 39^th came together at Des Moines, IA. The organization was then ordered to Davenport where those recruits were joined by others and all were mustered into Federal service.

In 12/1862 the 39^th was ordered south. It arrived in Trenton, MS on 12/26 suffering from exposure to rain and lack of sleep. The following day it entered upon its first march burdened with full equipment and gear.

On the morning of the second day of its trek, over one hundred (100) men of the regiment, too worn out and footsore to proceed attempted to return Trenton. They were captured by Confed. Gen. Nathan Forrest’s cavalry and made prisoners. It was not until 10/1863 that these men were able to rejoin the unit.

On 4/15/1863 the division to which the 39^th belonged was ordered to cover a Union raid into Georgia and Alabama. During this period the regiment was almost continuously clashing with enemy forces and, on 5/6, the men Co. “H”, while guarding a corral, were surrounded and taken prisoner. From that point in time until 3/2864 the 39^th was relegated to guard duties.

At the end of 4/1864 the 39^th was ordered to Chattanooga, TN where it joined Union Gen. W.T. Sherman armies as they moved upon Atlanta, GA. At Lay’s Ferry (5/14) the unit suffered mightily in killed and wounded, but forced the enemy to evacuate nearby Resaca. From there the regiment was ordered to Allatoona where the ensuing battle (10/5) made the name of the 39^th”glorious in history, but cost the unit three fifths (3/5^ths) of its numbers engaged. The 39^th then “marched to the sea.”

Early 1865 found the 39^th marching northward through the Carolinas. This march concluded on 5/24 with the Grand Review in Washington City. Final muster came not long thereafter.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 6; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.:2; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 58; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.:134. 

SOLDIER:
Residence: Clarke County, IA   Age: 18.1 or 2 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/13/1862   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 11/20/1862
Mustered Out: 6/5/1865 Washington, D.C.
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Jeremiah Brisbin was born during 6/1844. His place of birth was Cincinnati Crosby Township, Hamilton County, OH.

Father of Jeremiah was Timothy Brisbin (no b.d.).  His mother was Dorcas Ellen (nee Bannon, no b.d.) Brisbin.

The U.S. Census of 1850 counted Jeremiah in Hamilton County, OH most likely living with his parents. By 1860, however, he was residing in Clay Adair County, MO.

In 8/1862 Jeremiah - then living in Clarke County, IA - enlisted in the U.S. Army. His unit was the 39^th Iowa Infantry. Reenlisting when his three year service period ended, he served with the 39^th until the end of the American Civil War (ACW).

The War ended it, appears Jeremiah returned to Iowa. There, circa 1867, he married.  His bride was Mary (nee Neal no. b.d) Brisbin.

During their time together Jeremiah and Mary produced at least five children. Of the five, three were daughters – identified only by their married names - and two were sons.  The latter were Don Brisbin and Jerry Brisbin.

In 1871 the Brisbins moved to Franklin Washington County, NB where they remained until approximately 1885. After that, in 1886, they removed to Smith County, KS where they lived for twelve years.  There, Jeremiah served two terms as sheriff. The Brisbins then returned to Franklin, NB.

1890. Sometime during that calendar year Jeremiah and family moved to Whatcom County, WA. Where they initially settled is not documented, but by 1895 they were residing in the City of Bellingham. In Bellingham, it was noted that Jeremiah was “generally connected with public enterprises.”

Looking at these “enterprises,” in 1901 Jeremiah served as a Bellingham city councilman. He also acted as a republican state committeeman and, at the time of his death was a member of the park commission and superintendent of the Nooksack fish hatchery. There he spent all of his time until his illness and death.

Jeremiah Brisbin died 6/11/1908 in Bellingham Whatcom County, WA. He was/is buried in that city’s Bayview Cemetery.

Newspaper Notice (in part):

Jeremiah Brisbin, ex-councilman, member of the city park commission, war veteran and pioneer died at his home, 2009 D Street, last night of cancer of the liver. Although his affliction was known to his many friends throughout the city and county for the past nine weeks, death came unexpectedly. Few men were better known in this section of the state than the deceased who was 64 years old.

He (the deceased) had been confined to his bed less than three weeks. His last request was to have the G.A.R. direct his burial services. He is the first to be buried since the roster was called marking the close of the past year on Memorial Day.

Mr. Brisbin was an active fraternity man, also. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and the A.O.U.W. (Ancient Order of United Workingmen).

He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon under the auspices of the G.A.R. Interment will be at Bay View cemetery.

And Mary?  It is not known if she lived out her years in Bellingham and was/is buried with Jeremiah at Bay View.
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 NOTE:  The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom County Genealogical Society. Please see our Links page for details on obtaining a copy of the download – Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (including June 2014 update) from which much of the above was adopted.

 Posted: 5/25/2024
Updated: 

Buried at Bay View Cemetery in Bellingham